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Living Well Expert Archive

DR. JENNIFER SHU
Dr. Jennifer Shu is a pediatrician in Atlanta, Georgia. She is also a mom and practices part time at Children's Medical Group. She's passionate about working with families to help them build healthy habits. She says continuing good habits is much easier than breaking bad habits.

Shu earned her medical degree at the Medical College of Virginia in Richmond. She specialized in pediatrics at the University of California, San Francisco.

Her experience includes working in private practice, as well as working in an academic medical center. She served as director of the normal newborn nursery at Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center in New Hampshire.

Shu is also an author, consultant and frequent media guest. She is a co-author of "Food Fights" and "Heading Home with Your Newborn" and was editor for the American Academy of Pediatrics' "Baby and Child Health."

I recently had my first baby and just learned I have OCD. My doctor put me on a very low dose of antidepressant and my symptoms are much better. I am breast-feeding my son and don't want to use formula but am worried about side effects. What problems should I look for?

My grandson is suffering with eczema. Over-the-counter creams aren't working. His skin has been getting worse for the past three weeks. I've heard that bleach baths can help. Is it safe to give him a bleach bath?

My 12-year-old daughter was found to have calcium oxalate crystals in her urine. The doctor said to watch out for kidney stones, which happen to run in our family. What should we do to prevent my daughter from developing stones?

I'm 40 and stopped taking the pill a year ago, after using it for some 20 years. Since then I have developed persistent, painful, cystic acne. My periods have also become very irregular and heavy. Could these problems be linked to quitting the pill? Could I have thyroid or ovarian problems?

My newborn son has blue birthmarks on his back. The doctor called them Mongolian spots (but we are not Asian) and said they are found in darker skinned babies and not to worry. Our other kids didn't have them. What are they? Will they go away?

During a recent family trip to the mountains, our kids, who were sleeping in the attic, were awakened by a bat flying around the room. We called our doctor, who told us to go to the emergency room, where the kids got the rabies vaccine and immune globulin. Was that really necessary?

I'm about to travel to the other side of the world for a week and have to work the day after I get back. I've heard melatonin can help prevent jet lag when I return and would rather take that than medicine. What else can I do?

We just got back from the beach and I noticed that my 6-year-old daughter has some dry white spots on her face. I make sure she always wears sunscreen, and she has not had a sunburn. I've put lotion on her skin but it's not helping. She had eczema when she was younger but that always showed up on her arms and legs and not the face. What could this be?

Is it normal for a 12-year-old girl who has started her menstrual cycle for the first time, within the last six months to have a pungent, almost metallic, body odor? She gets teased for her smell all the time and we have tried everything to fix it.

My teammate and I collided during a ballgame last weekend, and I blacked out for a few seconds before being taken to the emergency room. They did a CT scan of my head, which was fine. I am still having some headaches but have plans to fly across the country this weekend. Should I cancel my trip?

I had a terrible cold that lasted about two weeks, and my right ear is still clogged with congestion. I find that it gets worse throughout the day, and I get that "popping" feeling when I blow my nose. Should I be on antibiotics?

My 4-year-old son has a gray hair. He was born prematurely and weighed 2 pounds, 6 ounces. Now he is around 29 pounds. He had a gray hair few months back (I guess it fell off after couple of months), and now I see another one (different area). Does that imply any deficiencies in his diet?

I have had several dental x-rays within the past 3 to 4 years, as I have had braces, and other dental problems that have needed x-rays in order to deal with the problems. When I had my 3-D scan last summer I felt fuzzy for at least a day after the x-ray. Now again I had an x-ray three days ago, and I still feel very fuzzy and not all there. Is it normal to actually feel the effects of an x-ray?

I'm eight months pregnant and plan to breastfeed. I will go back to work after a few months and am thinking about getting a heavy-duty double breast pump, but the new ones are very expensive. Is it safe to buy or rent a used one? I'm worried about the germs that might be inside the pump but can't really afford a new one.

My 14-year-old daughter has had bumps on her cheeks, upper arms and thighs for several years. Her pediatrician say it's keratosis pilaris and not to worry about it, but my daughter doesn't like the way the bumps look. Is there anything we can try to make them go away?

I'm 39 years old and have had a few floaters in both eyes for as long as I can remember. I go to the eye doctor every year for my glasses but forget to ask about these floaters. What causes them? Do I need to worry?

Hi. My boyfriend is 27 years old. Over the past two or three months, he has had an odd pattern of baldness. It started as a very small area (pencil eraser size) above his left ear, but it quickly spread upward as well as to the front and back. Right now, there is a very big (2-3 inches across) bald area on the left side of his ear. I heard that the usual, normal balding pattern is on the forehead, but haven't heard this type of balding. I was wondering what could have caused this and how can we treat it (if it can be treated). Thanks!

I have had a weird rash on my hands for about a week. It started out like blisters after I was outside one day but now is flat and brown. It does not hurt or itch but does seem to be getting a little lighter. I'm not on any medications and did not use any sunscreen or skin products that day. What could be causing this?

I have not had a period for the past five years and before that I had a normal menstrual cycle for 10 years. I went to both my primary care doctor and gynecologist but after the initial blood work and pelvic ultrasound came back normal, it was decided I should go on birth control and stay on it until I reach menopause age. I really don't like the idea of being on birth control for the next 20 years. Is there another specialist I should see or another test I should ask for specifically?

My daughter has a severe food allergy. I keep epinephrine with me at all times and have left injectors in her day care classroom but am worried about not having one if she needs it. Can I keep one in the car for emergencies?

I had my first mammogram yesterday and my breasts are still really sore. I am fairly small-chested, and the tech said that usually makes it hurt more. What can I do for the pain now, and is there anything I can do to make it hurt less next time?

Recently, more than 70 people from the same retirement neighborhood went on a five-day cruise. By the end of the cruise and right afterward, at least half of the people had colds and respiratory problems, with one person needing to be hospitalized with pneumonia. Could this illness be from the air conditioning or close quarters? What is the best way to notify the authorities to prevent others from contracting this illness?

I have been sick for two weeks and my doctor said I have jaundice from mono. I got my belly button pierced on spring break in Mexico and I'm worried. Could my jaundice be from hepatitis C or HIV instead?

My daughter is 1 year old now. Do I need to switch from formula to cow's milk? I heard that formula has more vitamins and minerals that the baby needs than milk. Therefore, my question is what the differences are between milk and formula and which one is better for a 1-year-old baby's growth and development?

I'm pregnant with my third baby and am due next month. I had C-sections with the first two babies but would like to try having the baby naturally this time. People have told me that this is not safe, but I found an obstetrician who is willing to do a VBAC. What's the latest information on having a vaginal delivery after having a C-section?

Last month as a birthday gift to myself, I scheduled an IUD. It hurt like the dickens and I didn't get the IUD. I'm 31, I have a steady boyfriend and I don't want to tie my tubes yet. Is there any way I can get an IUD without feeling excruciating pain?

Why do my kids always seem to get sick on Sunday nights? They love school; it's not that they're trying to stay home. But they get random fevers -- as high as 102 -- out of the blue, and it seems to happen a lot on Sunday nights. Have you seen this in other patients?

I am six months pregnant and have a couple of questions about babies who have recently died from whooping cough in California. How were they introduced to the bacteria? Can breast-feeding prevent this illness?

At least two years ago, I received the first of three shots for the HPV vaccine. At the time, I was not told about the additional shots, and so never got them. Am I still able to do the vaccine, whether I start over again or just get the next two shots? Can I be tested for HPV to see if it's even worth it any more?

My 4-year-old daughter has been stuttering at the beginning of her sentences for the past month. It doesn't seem to bother her and she has a good vocabulary and talks in full sentences. I stuttered too when I was her age but it went away. What can I do to help her?

I have had recurring poison ivy on my face for a month. It went away but now it's back. I've tried a week of prednisone and am now using hydrocortisone cream. I would love to work in the yard but don't want to get it again. Any ideas? Thanks.

My daughter got her ears pierced a few months ago and took the earrings out for a few hours today but now can't get them back in. Could the holes be closed up already? How can we get the earrings back in without it hurting too much?

My 3-year-old daughter has a trick. She can turn her right eye completely inward at will. We noticed it when she was an infant and have taken her several times to a pediatric ophthalmologist. He checked her out, dilated her pupils and suggested that there was nothing wrong, especially now that she has control over it. Should I stop worrying about it now, or go get a second opinion (the second opinion would be quite a drive)?

If you know that you are not pregnant, how long is too long before you should be alarmed if you don't have your period? What could be the possible reasons for a delayed period? When should you see a doctor?

I have been bleeding during sex. An ER doctor I saw said it could be precancer cells. I am just wondering what causes these cells. Why does it happen, and what are the symptoms? I don't have a gynecologist because I lost my insurance.

I have pain in my heels, and it hurts to do anything on my feet. I elevate them and try not to put any pressure on them as much as possible. Even when I sleep on my back and my feet are positioned my heels hurt. What should I do?

I have trouble swallowing pills. I'm pregnant and just found out I'm anemic, so I have to take iron tablets. Can I dissolve the iron tablets in water to make them easier to take, or will that weaken or negate the effect of the iron? Can I dissolve my folic acid tablets in water, too, or will those not be effective either?

I would like to know how can I get rid of my acne. I have tried many creams but am allergic to Proactiv and benzoyl peroxide. At the moment, I am using tea tree oil, but it still has not been helping very well. Kindly help me please.

How does one handle meal times with a 2-year-old who looks at what adults are eating and wants it, for example Romaine lettuce with 4-inch chunks of raw carrots? Are adults supposed to say,"We are all sitting down together at family mealtime but you can't have what we are eating"? Or give them the huge carrot and let them choke?

I drink about 6 to 10 ounces of fluids per day and I am 15. I know that's really bad, but on top of that I am training for a half-marathon and I've run up to 12 miles. On days like that, I still lack adequate liquids. Will this pose any problems in the near or far future other than dehydration, which I have yet to experience?

Hello, I am trying to get pregnant but suffer from Barrett's esophagus. I have been taking Prevacid and other types of medication. I asked my doctor if this will affect me or the baby when I become pregnant and his answer was no. I just wanted to ask someone else. Thank you.

My 9-year-old son has had a swollen lymph node in his neck for four months. All his blood tests came back normal. It does go up and down in size. Doctors and surgeons say it is just a swollen lymph node and it will go down. Can you please give me some more information on this?

I have a preadolescent son who has developed a rash on his abdomen, shoulders/top of his arms, chest area, upper/lower back and portions of his neck, but NOT on his face. He is not itchy or in pain, but we waited a few days and then took him to his pediatrician. They said it is rosacea. Is it possible for it to be this widespread?

I'm 40 and stopped taking the pill a year ago, after using it for some 20 years. Since then I have developed persistent, painful, cystic acne. My periods have also become very irregular and heavy. Could these problems be linked to quitting the pill? Could I have thyroid or ovarian problems?

My 30-year-old son has suffered through 39 kidney stones since he was 16. A recent CT scan shows his kidneys are filled with more. Lab results have ascertained that the stones are made up of calcium oxalate. Is there a cure or remedy for this type of kidney stone? My son has continuous problems with them and it's hard to work every day when he's in so much pain.

My son, who is now a healthy 3-year-old, had six or seven head CT scans along with two MRIs and some X-rays for a head injury he had when he was just 11 months old. I am very concerned about this new study regarding CT scans causing risk to cancer in future. Did we put our son at risk because of those CT scans?

I have worn glasses for nearsightedness since I was 15. I recently turned 40 and sometimes have trouble focusing on small things close up (such as text messages on my cell phone or restaurant menus). My eye doctor says I may need bifocals. Why did this happen and what can I do to avoid wearing bifocals?